About This Blogging Thing

My computer rates my sites as to which ones I visit more often with a "more active" or "less active" distinction. I was dismayed when I went to the page to post today and found that it had been deemed "less active." It was a telling judgment of the kind of blogger I've been of late.

My apologies to those of you who are hanging in there. Maybe you've enjoyed the break from hearing from me. (I know my kids always appreciate my silence.) Or maybe you have actually missed my missives from the Land of Whalen. Either way, it doesn't change the fact that I've been a less than stellar blogger. There are a couple of reasons for that.

1. Blogs are falling out of vogue and I'm seeing that more and more. We're all on Twitter or Pinterest or Instagram. Our time-tight lives are driving us to look for short, quick soundbites of info instead of lengthy sermons. I certainly don't want to clog up your inbox or feed with stuff you don't want to hear. And, let's be honest, I don't want to spend time writing stuff that's not going to be read. My awareness of all of this has made blogging slip further down my priority list. It's not off the list, mind you. Just further down.

2. I have had a creative dearth of late. I do think of things I'd like to share-- just never when I can share them. I think of wonderful posts while running. Or while driving. Or showering. Or even in the middle of the grocery store. However, those posts are usually completely and totally vanished into the ether by the time I'm sitting in front of my computer. So you end up getting posts like the one I wrote last Monday-- a bunch of blather about what I'm doing, which probably just sounds like what you're doing. And why do you need to read that?

3. I'm really really busy right now. And so are you. We are all, sadly, busy in our own ways. Running ourselves ragged. Barely able to look up. And so I don't feel especially compelled to add to the noise. If I have something to say that is pertinent and relevant and not-to-be-missed, I'll post. If not, I'll be quiet. That's been my attitude of late. And yet, sometimes I feel the need to let you know I'm still around. Still mothering and chauffeuring and writing and puzzling over life's mysteries. And since this blog also pulls double duty as my site, I feel that the content should be somewhat recent when someone visits for the first time. Otherwise I look like a loser. And who wants to read a book by a loser?

And so with all of that said, I will just keep doing what I've been doing. Posting here at least once a week-- even if it's just to tell you what I've been cooking or reading or watching or listening to. Even if it's just to say "Hey, I've got a book coming out and I'd really love your support."

Or even just to say, "I'm still here. Are you? You are? I'm so glad."